Lynnfield woman donates time and energy to serve those in need

For nine years now, a Lynnfield woman has been driving to Boston on Fridays to serve as a volunteer at Rosie’s Place, bringing dignity and comfort to area women in need.

“It’s always a wonderful place to volunteer. It’s always a rewarding experience,” said Pam Abenaim, who has lived in Lynnfield for 35 years, is an avid golfer with two children who grew up and attended public schools in town.

Abenaim said in a recent conversation that she typically arrives at Rosie’s Place around 10:30 a.m. to prepare food, going out into the dining room later to serve meals to around 200 people on any given day. The well-known Boston nonprofit serves three meals a day, 365 days a year, providing, as Abenaim called it, “a little respite” for the area’s homeless women and their children. “Everybody who’s volunteering is happy to be there,” she added, praising staff members for providing a nurturing environment and dignity without condescension. “It’s really a very high quality organization,” she added.

While Abenaim is a familiar face at Rosie’s Place now, she started volunteering there in an average enough fashion. One day about a decade ago, she recalls that she had been looking around for volunteer opportunities and came across Rosie’s Place in a newsletter.

“For the last 9 years I have looked forward to seeing Pam and her wonderful smile at the Friday lunch shift. She always shows so much kindness and caring towards our guests and she makes everyone feel very special,” said Rosie’s Place director of communications Michelle Chausse, who also noted that National Volunteer Week runs from April 6 through 12 this year.